Simmba movie review: The very definition of a paisa-vasool massy entertainer

Simmba is as kadak as chatpata missal pav, as dhamekadaar as fiery dal tadka, and as damdaar as delicious dum biryani. Comedy, drama, dialogues, music, action, emotion — everything is at the topmost peak of ‘dynamic, dhaasu, masala entertainment’.

Furthermore, the stirring, intense turn that the film takes post interval proves that Director Rohit Shetty can do it all in one film, not to mention the level of detailing and sensibility that he manages to pull off in a masala film — way more than can be said for many so-called classy Directors. This is also by far Sheety’s tightest screenplay (kudos to Sajid Samji and Yunus Sajawal) and sanest narration yet, showing how much he’s prepared to adapt and move with the times.

The film is also leagues better than its inspiration — Jr. NTR’s Temper — (a film that I quite liked), borrowing only the basic idea and handful of scenes, but, eventually, ironing out the flaws of the original, adding several new aspects, and dishing out a far superior product. As for Ranveer Singh, he’s just, out-an-out ‘mind-ichh-blowing’, in every frame — a pitch-perfect act be it his impeccable comic timing, delivery of whistle-worthy punchlines (take a bow, Farhad Samji), deadly body language, powerful action scenes, and balancing it all with a profound emotional core. He’s also given a potent adversary in Sonu Sood, plus strong supporting performances from Sara Ali Khan (what a start to her film career) Ashutosh Rana, and Siddharth Jadhav.

However, the biggest high is smartly left for the finale courtesy a smashing cameo by Ajay Devgn — his combo moments with Ranveer are certain to shake theaters with rapturous applause — followed by another surprising one at the very end, all but giving desi audiences their own version of an intro to a forthcoming film, just like how Marvel does it in the west, setting things up nicely for our Avengers-styled mashup. Rohit Shetty and only Rohit Shetty could have pulled this off with such gall yet so convincingly.

Barring a scene or two in the second half that seem unnecessary, Simmba is the very definition of a paisa-vasool massy entertainer, guaranteed to elicit thunderous claps, deafening whistles, and unbridled excitement across theater halls in the country.